# Why Philadelphia's streets are deadlier than New York's

> Philadelphia has a traffic fatality crisis that outpaces peer cities. Here's what's working and what the city still needs to do.
- Title: Why Philadelphia's streets are deadlier than New York's
- Summary: Philadelphia has a traffic fatality crisis that outpaces peer cities. Here's what's working and what the city still needs to do. Philadelphia's traffic death…
- Keywords: philadelphia, traffic safety, speed cameras, vision zero, pedestrian deaths, road safety, traffic fatalities, pennsylvania, traffic calming, hit-and-run crashes, bicycle safety, public health
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/what-philly-can-and-cant-do-to-reduce-the-number-of-people-killed-in-car-crashes-289763
- Author: D. Alex Quistberg
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: philadelphia, traffic safety, speed cameras, vision zero, pedestrian deaths, road safety, traffic fatalities, pennsylvania, traffic calming, hit-and-run crashes, bicycle safety, public health
## Philly's deadly traffic problem
Philadelphia had 101 traffic deaths in 2025, three times more than New York. The city remains an outlier compared with Boston, Chicago, Washington and New York.

> Philadelphians die in traffic crashes more than people who live in Chicago, Boston, Washington and New York.
## Who dies in Philly crashes
Pedestrians and bicyclists make up half of Philadelphia's traffic deaths since 2020. Fatal crashes concentrate in poorer neighborhoods like Hunting Park, Juniata Park and Upper Kensington.

> Pedestrians and bicyclists make up half of Philadelphia's traffic deaths since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
## It's not about how people travel
Philadelphians walk half as much as Bostonians and drive about the same as Chicagoans. The difference in fatality rates isn't explained by commuting patterns or vehicle types.
## What makes Philly crashes deadlier
Fatal crashes in Philadelphia are more likely to involve speeding, be hit-and-runs, and occur at night or on major roads. They're less likely to involve alcohol than in peer cities.
## Speed cameras show real results
Roosevelt Boulevard's automated speed cameras, installed in 2020, cut fatal and serious crashes by 11 percent despite a 16 percent increase citywide. Broad Street's enforcement program started in November 2025.

> Fatal and serious crashes decreased 11% after installation, despite increasing 16% citywide.
## Traffic calming is expanding
Philadelphia installs dozens of speed cushions monthly and continues expanding its bike network with protected lanes. The Slow Zone Program pairs planners with residents to design safety solutions together.
## New York's aggressive approach
New York hit a record low of 205 traffic deaths in 2025, its lowest since 1910. The city runs school speed cameras in 750 zones all day, lowered some speed limits to 20 mph, and reconfigured intersections to reduce turning speeds.

> New York had a record low of 205 traffic fatalities in 2025, its lowest since 1910 when recordkeeping began.
## Turn calming cuts pedestrian deaths
New York's turn calming strategy, which reconfigures intersections to reduce turning speeds, dropped pedestrian injury risk by 16 percent and pedestrian fatality risk by 80 percent at treated locations.

> At treated locations, the risk of pedestrian injuries dropped 16% and the risk of pedestrian fatalities 80%.
## State preemption is the barrier
Pennsylvania state leaders in Harrisburg control speed limit changes and speed camera installation. Seventy-four percent of Philadelphia's road deaths occur on state roads, including all fifteen deadliest roads.

> 74% of Philadelphia's road traffic deaths occur on state roads, and the deadliest 15 roads in the city all have a state road designation.
## Hit-and-runs need better lighting
More than three-quarters of Philadelphia's hit-and-run crashes happen at night. Better street lighting could help address this intractable problem that peer cities also struggle with.

> More than three-quarters of hit-and-run crashes in Philadelphia happen at night.
## Vision Zero is possible
Cities globally and in the U.S. have reached zero traffic deaths. Philadelphia can too, but it requires expanding speed enforcement and traffic calming while addressing the safety gap between rich and poor neighborhoods.

> Vision Zero is obtainable, cities globally and in the U.S. have reached zero traffic deaths.
## Key takeaway

Philadelphia's traffic death rate is three times higher than New York's, but speed cameras and traffic calming measures show promise. State preemption over speed limits and cameras on state roads remains the biggest barrier to progress.